Not A Moment Too Soon
Chapter 6
For some reason, Howard awoke. He sat up in bed and looked all around the room. Had he heard voices? He couldn't be sure. Perhaps he had been dreaming. He could have sworn that he had heard a woman's voice. He heard a loud clang. What on earth? He thought to himself. He got out of bed and put his dressing gown on. Grabbing a nearby candle, he walked into the adjoining suite. The countess's chamber was a grand room, smaller than his own, but decorated just as fashionably. He crept in slowly, feeling a cold chill run through his body. He noticed the window was open, and walked over to close it. Just as he was about to turn around and go back to his room, he noticed a flash of white light by the door. It seemed to get brighter and brighter the closer he got to it. It was a woman wearing a long flowing white gown that seemed to shimmer with each touch of moonlight that hit it. There was no expression on her face and her white blonde hair fell just below her shoulders. Her mouth appeared to be moving but no sound came out. Suddenly Howard heard her voice, but she wasn't speaking aloud, he heard it in his mind.
"Let her go." the strange apparition said to him.
Howard stared in confusion at the ghost, "Let who go?"
"She was not the one intended for you. Seek deep within your heart, and there you will find the truth." Then the woman disappeared into thin air. It was as if she had never even been there at all.
Howard just stood there staring at the spot where he had seen the ghost. What had she meant by that? He wondered to himself. He shook his head in disbelief and decided it wasn't worth fretting over tonight. He blew out the candle and walked back into his room. Setting the candle down on his bedside table, he crawled underneath the warm covers. Soon he fell into a restless sleep.
*****
He woke early in the morning with a slight headache. He had not slept well the night before, his thoughts staying with the ghost and what she had said to him. He had tried to find some logic in her words, but still he could not understand. Perhaps the answer would come to him soon, after his mind cleared. He slid into a warm tub that Perry provided for him and began to wash away all thoughts of the ghost. After his bath, he slid into his britches, shirt, and cravat.
Perry walked into the room announcing, "My lord, Lord McClean has arrived."
"Thank you Perry, I'll be down in just a moment." He said, sliding his shiny Hessian boots on over his wool socks.
"Very well, my lord." Perry closed the door softly behind him and went back downstairs.
Howard walked down the stairs taking them two at a time. He was anxious to see his friend for it had been far too long since his last visit.
"Ahh you're as ugly as ever, Howard." Alexander James McClean said, a huge grin upon his face. He got up from the wing backed chair he was sitting in and gave his friend a firm handshake.
"And I must say, you grow uglier each time I see you as well." Howard chided playfully. The two men had been great friends ever since they were young men. Their fathers had fought together in the war, and ever since the passing of Hoke Dorough, Alexander stopped by often to check on his friend.
"How was France?" Alexander asked him. "Did you have a go about with any French girls while you were there?"
"Alex, really. Is that all you ever think about?" Howard asked.
"But of course, don't you?" He replied, a smirk on his face.
"I hope you were successful in capturing that damned General Gallant." Lord McClean stated, a furrowed expression on his brow.
"Unfortunately no, it appears he escaped us once again." Howard answered. "Luckily in my absence, there are many men searching for him as we speak."
"Ok, enough about military issues. Let's talk about something more interesting shall we?" Alexander asked, a sly grin on his face. "How are matters with your fiance?"
A cloud of anger swept over Howard's face, "I'd rather not discuss her if you don't mind."
Alex sensed trouble, "What happened? Has her ladyship fallen ill?"
Just before Howard could utter a reply, two servants filed into the room carrying trays of tasty scones, gingerbread, and pots of steaming hot coffee. Howard picked up a scone and bit into it. He didn't wish to discuss his current situation with anyone, even Alexander whom he'd known most of his life. He just wasn't ready to open that can of worms quite yet.
"Thank you, Megan. Jennifer. That will be all for now." Howard smiled, dismissing the two servant girls.
Alexander looked at him with a strange expression on his face.
"Is something wrong Alex?" Howard asked, concerned.
Alexander's eyes lingered on the doorway that the servants had passed through only a brief moment before. "Who was that toothsome chit?"
Howard laughed heartily, "Of course that look on your face has to do with a woman. I have no idea why I should be surprised. Which girl are you referring to?"
"The beautiful one with the captivating bosom, of course." Alexander said matter-of-factly.
Howard smiled as he became aware of whom Alex was referring to. Jennifer. Mary Rutherton's youngest daughter. She was a very beautiful girl indeed. Young, but beautiful. "I think you're talking about Jennifer. She is my cook's youngest daughter. Lovely isn't she?"
Alexander nodded in appreciation. He had a faraway look in his eye.
Howard coughed aloud trying to get Alexander's attention, "Shall we go for a ride?"
Snapping out of the dazed state he was in Alexander answered, "Yes, let's."
7